A Whanganui shoplifter has been jailed for the 45th time.
Ngaika Kiu received a three-month sentence after stealing goods from Rebel Sport Palmerston North, Big Barrel, Countdown Whanganui and Pak'nSave Whanganui, NZME reports.
She stole items from Rebel Sport on December 28, and returned there on January 19 to take clothing. At Countdown in January, she walked out with a full trolley while waving a receipt that turned out to not be genuine.
Judge Dugald Matheson said Kiu's sentence was generous.
"She is a recidivist shoplifter, her criminal behaviour blatantly disregards the rights of others in the community," Judge Matheson said.
"She has shown contempt for the retailers, she's got 80 previous convictions and has received 44 sentences of imprisonment for this shoplift type of offending, which is unhelpful."
He continued to say the maximum sentence for shoplifting did not fit the level of Kiu's offending.
"Community-based options are not appropriate - the maximum penalty for shoplifting is three months' imprisonment, and quite frankly that is better than generous towards Ms Kiu, given her history."
NZME reports Kiu is also facing three other charges -wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure and assault with a weapon.
Newshub.
